INTERNATIONAL directories group Yell is leaving its historic UK headquarters in Queens Walk to relocate to the town’s biggest office building.

As reported in yesterday’s Evening Post, the company announced plans on Wednesday to move its 1,350-strong workforce to the new One Reading Central development, currently being built near the former Metal Box building by Reading Railway Station.

Yell has signed a lease agreement with property developers Kier Property and Invista Real Estate Investment Management to take up 153,500 sq ft of office space over eight floors of the 11-storey building in Summer 2010.

The relocation will see 650 staff leave the landmark Yell House – its home for 23 years – along with the same number in Bridge Street Plaza and another 50 from Slough.

Simon Taylor, head of property at the firm, said the state-of-the-art 216,000 sq ft structure was the perfect building in the perfect location.

He told the Evening Post: “We took our time because, quite simply, there is a lack of suitable sites in Reading town centre to choose from. We looked at many options but we are a Reading business and we wanted to stay in Reading.”

John Condron, chief executive of Yell, said: “Yell has seen tremendous growth and development in recent years and the opportunity to relocate our UK head office teams to one building will enable us to build on this for the future and gives us the opportunity to enhance team work and communication.

“With its sophisticated, distinctive architecture and specially designed working spaces our new UK headquarters will provide the best of office environments that are right for Yell’s business status and dynamism.”